Stellate ganglion of funicular shape.

The stellate ganglion on the right side is seen in front of the right brachial plexus. The stellate ganglion is in funicular shape in this cadaver. The sympathetic trunk is lined up beside the vertebral column, which is located under the parietal pleura. Abbreviation; TC: thoracic cavity. Five upward arrows: the layout of the sympathetic trunk.

Stellate ganglion of solid shape.

A stellate ganglion on the right side is seen under the parietal pleura in this view in the region of the cupula pulmonis (indicated by a forceps). The sympathetic nerve just above the ganglion was in a lace-like form in all cadavers where many branches to the neck, arm and to the heart had their origins. In the view, the vagal nerve crosses in front of the stellate ganglion. The head direction is on the left upper corner. Caudal direction is on the right lower corner. Abbreviation; Gl: ganglion.

Sympathetic trunk behind the posterior wall of the carotid sheath.

The sympathetic trunk is located behind the posterior wall of the carotid sheath. In the lower cervical part, the sympathetic trunk ran up toward the head, passing through the area lateral to the thyroid gland, anteromedial to the Chassaignac's tubercle. The tubercle in the human body is actually covered by the longus capitis muscle (mlc). Abbreviations; tc: Chassaignac's (anterior tubercle of the transverse process of the 6th cervical vertebra). glty: thyroid gland. tsy: sympathetic trunk.

The sympathetic trunk seen through the posterior wall of the carotid sheath.

The sympathetic trunk is seen through the posterior wall of the carotid sheath (the simple arrow). The trunk is located just lateral to the esophagus, which is anterior to the longus cervicis muscle. Abbreviations; NV: vagal nerve. eg: esophagus. ACC: the common carotid artery (located in the carotid sheath). The head direction is on the right side.

The ascending sympathetic trunk at the mid-cervical level.

The ascending right sympathetic trunk is seen on the rear side of the fascia alata at the mid-cervical level. Abbreviations; fA: the fascia alata. tsy: the sympathetic trunk (right). fpv: prevertebral fascia.

The penetration of the sympathetic trunk into the carotid sheath.

The sympathetic trunk entered into the carotid sheath at the level of the 3rd cervical vertebra. The sympathetic trunk became fibrous around the carotid artery after it entered into the sheath. Abbreviation; tsy: sympathetic trunk.

The spread of the dye solution.

The red dye solution was injected just medial to Chassaignac's tubercle from the anterior direction through the para-tracheal space. The liquitex ink congeals several hours after the injection. Single arrow: injection point. tsy: the sympathetic trunk (right). The carotid artery is dislocated in this view. The jugular vein (right) is cut (vj). The head direction is on the left side. The lateral direction is on the near side (lower part of diagram).

Transection of the neck at the level of C6 (illustration).

The illustration shows the organs in the neck, the membrane structures inside the neck which produce various compartments, and the barrier against the spread of the fluid which was injected. Although the fluid spread well in the compartment surrounded by the fascia alata (the anterior wall of the compartment) and the prevertebral fascia (the posterior wall); part of the fluid also spread in the space in front of the fascia alata, because the fluid could enter into the space through the needle hole on the fascia alata and on the carotid sheath which was made during the needle insertion (the yellow area).

Intubation using head elevation boards (1 cm thick).

Height of head elevation.

NS  =  Not Significant.

Mallampati class.

NS  =  Not Significant.

Frequency distribution of the height of head elevation judging from the M-H distance.

NS  =  Not Significant.

Frequency distribution of the height of head elevation judging from the M-Go distance.

NS  =  Not Significant.

Frequency distribution of the height of head elevation judging from the Extension M-T distance.

NS  =  Not Significant.

Frequency distribution of the height of head elevation judging from the Cervical extension angle.

NS  =  Not Significant.

Percentages of the number of patients in each age group.

Percentages of the number of operation of hard tissues and soft tissues in both groups.

Premedication in Group 1 and Group 2.

a: Percentages of cases with and without premedication in both groups.

b: Percentages of cases in oral midazolam, diazepam, or nothing used as premedication in both groups.

Postoperative fentanyl IVPCA requirements for 24 hours after extubation.

*: p < 0.05 vs Group S.

Laryngoscopy view obtained with Airway Scope®.

A: Intlock® blade located at the subepiglottis.

B: Intlock® blade located at the epiglottic vallecula.

Modified Cormack classification grade in the epiglottic vallecula group.